KENINGAU: A Kapitan Cina here, Tai Sui Ming @ Tai Fatt, who just two weeks ago received his appointment as Kampung Batu 27 Chinese community leader, died in a road accident at kilometre 25 of the Keningau-Tambunan road near Kampung Kitou about 6.30pm on Wednesday.
The deceased was also the Keningau Division Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) deputy chief and former MCA branch chief for Ulu Patikang here.
District police chief Deputy Superintendent Robert Salisip @ David yesterday said the 61-year-old victim died on the spot due to severe head injuries.
The victim’s wife, Chaw Wun Fah, 55, and his son, Tai Ket Yan, 28, were also seriously injured in the accident and have been warded at the Keningau hospital.
“The accident occurred when a loaded Hino truck driven by a 49-year-old man from Lahad Datu to Keningau had suddenly moved backwards while attempting to negotiate a steep uphill gradient,” Robert said.
He said the truck driver had apparently engaged the wrong gear on his truck to go uphill and as a result it could not negotiate the steep uphill slope and began to move backwards. It then hit a Toyota Vigo vehicle, driven by a 47-year-old man, that was behind.
As the truck moved backwards downhill, a Proton Saga car coming from Keningau and heading towards Tambunan, driven by the deceased, collided with the right side of the truck as it veered to the right lane of the road.
“The deceased sustained severe head injuries and died on the spot while his wife and son were seriously injured,” said Robert.
The truck driver, his attendant and the Toyota Vigo driver were not hurt.
Robert said the case would be investigated further under Section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.